Thursday, October 23, 2014

The Demon’s Door by Ari McKay ~ Review & Giveaway

Synopsis

When Thomas Carter discovers his grandfather’s hidden journals, detailing the old man’s fight against the supernatural, he knows he’s found his true calling at last. Yet when he sets out to stake a local vampire, he quickly learns that the difference between Good and Evil is very different than what he had believed.Julian Schaden is at first amused when Thomas tries to destroy him, but he quickly recognizes Thomas for what he is: a Demon Hunter, a supernatural being who exists to hunt and destroy the soulless. The two are drawn together as Julian teaches Thomas the skills he will need to survive, and attraction intensifies to something deeper. But when a major demonic manifestation looms at Halloween, will they have the strength to face it, when failure might condemn them both to an eternity in Hell?

Macky’s Review

Vampires and their hunters are something that have gone together since Bram Stoker introduced us to Count Dracula and his famous vamp killing nemesis: Van Helsing...so that was the style of story I was expecting when the book opened, just at the point when dawn was giving way to the rising of the sun...and that was it...I was sucked into the creepy description of a lone figure breaking into a large foreboding mansion in search of the monster within its walls; hopefully having just crawled into its coffin...prey for the silver bullet and double stake toting, garlic wearing, holy water carrying, kevlar vested stranger who it seemed was on a quest to stake and kill a creature of the night before it woke to carry on its reign of terror....

Well...that's what young farmer, Thomas Carter was also expecting after he illegally entered the old building, searching for the resting place of the vile inhabitant of the Schaden Mansion, but what he actually found wasn't quite what he...or I...expected and what followed had Thomas falling on his ass in surprise and me snorting out loud when he finally got to meet the so called "vile monster" he'd worked himself up to annihilate!

The moment was at hand, and Thomas couldn't shirk his responsibility now. Drawing in a deep breath, he grabbed his mallet and positioned the stake over the creatures heart. As if sensing his intent to kill it, the creature opened its eyes and looked directly at him.

"Boo!" '

Hahahaha...I loved that part because of course things aren't always what they seem and that applies to both Julian Schaden the not so vile Vamp and amateur hunter Thomas who it transpires, learns things about his family that, from the moment he (thankfully) fails in his task, begin to change his life in ways he ever saw coming. Suddenly the mood of the book and the direction I thought it was going to go changed completely, but certainly not in a disappointing way.

He's a bit of a sweetie is our Thomas; brought up by a grandfather who practically kept him hidden away from the world, it turns out that not only is he a virgin but he truly is an innocent, in fact he's so naive that he thinks a 'Gay' man is just a very happy chappy! Lol. So its up to the vampire who he thought was going to be his first kill, to put him straight on a few things which also include how to fight and kill demons. Bless him!

Julian's been around a couple or so hundred years, so he knows a lot about the supernatural community that unknown to most of their human counterparts, live alongside them. When he learns Julian is gay, Thomas comes to the conclusion that his own unexplored sexual leanings make him one of those 'very happy chappies' too because up to that point he's never been in the company of either sex long enough to know which gender he prefers, so suddenly staking the good looking vampire is something he'd be quite happy to do...only not with a pointy stick! Unfortunately there's some pesky paranormal stuff to deal with AND Julian's own trepidation about getting involved with someone so inexperienced, to get over before he can persuade his vampire crush that he really does know who and what he wants.

I really enjoyed the interplay between them as a couple. How their relationship started out as mentor and student; became a friendship, then gradually morphed into a pretty deep attraction. Because of the circumstances though, they try to ignore the pull they're feeling for each other— Julian in particular—especially when it looks like they're going to be dealing with a dangerous situation that requires having all their wits about them. Also Thomas's own supernatural hunting skills need bringing up to scratch if he's going to face the soulless faction of the paranormals who've set their sights on him, so distractions of a romantic nature aren't really a good idea! The draw is just too strong though and Thomas finally wears down Julian's resolve. At the end of the day it's a good thing to lose his virginity, because If he's not thatinnocent any more SURELY he's safe from those virgin sacrificing demons.....isn't he?!?

I did have a few moments where I found myself suspending belief because it seemed a bit incredulous that Thomas could be as innocent as he seemed in this day and age, but at the same time it was that naivety that also made him so endearing at times. The explanation of his unworldliness was credible to a degree but I still wondered if he would really have been SO green! However, putting that to one side it was still an enjoyable paranormal romp that had a few serious moments but for the most part was fun, engaging and sweetly sexy.

Ari Mckay as co-authors, have to be one of the most diverse writing partnerships out there because they write in all the sub genres of m/m, but they change it up all the time. I've read and reviewed three paranormals from them this year and each one has been varied and a style all of its own. One, an atmospheric, creepy, old world gothic ghost story, the other a good V evil, slightly bloodthirsty shifter/vampire series and this, a lighter vamp/hunter/apprentice romance with a side order of elves, fae folk, witches and demons. One thing you can't say about them is that they're repetitious in what they produce and that's why I have a real soft spot for Ari McKay and their divergent styles. Thanks again ladies!

Buy it Here

Meet Ari McKay

Ari McKay is the professional pseudonym for Arionrhod and McKay, who collaborate on original m/m fiction. They began writing together in 2004 and finished their first original full length novel in 2011. Recently, they’ve begun collaborating on designing and creating costumes to wear and compete in at Sci Fi conventions, and they share a love of yarn and cake.Arionrhod is an avid costumer, knitter, and all-around craft fiend, as well as a professional systems engineer. Mother of two human children and two dachshunds who think they are human, she is a voracious reader with wildly eclectic tastes, devouring romance novels, military science fiction, horror stories and Shakespeare with equal glee. She is currently preparing for the zombie apocalypse.McKay is an English teacher who has been writing for one reason or another most of her life. She also enjoys knitting, reading, cooking, and playing video games. She has been known to knit in public. Given she has the survival skills of a gnat, she’s relying on Arionrhod to help her survive the zombie apocalypse.